Doctor insights on:
Stage 3 Breast Cancer Life Expectancy

1

Varies:
Early breast cancer treated with surgery and appropriate hormone and radiation therapy has a 98% chance of full recovery. Larger or later breast cancers that have spread can have a lower survival expectancy, but there still can be successful treatment. Many factors play into life expectancy, and each person needs to discuss their specific situation with their oncologist.
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Cancer is a group of diseases that is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth leading to invasion of surrounding tissues that spread to other parts of the body. Cancer can begin anywhere in the body and is usually related to one or more genetic mutations that allow normal cells to become malignant by interfering with internal cellular control mechanisms, such as programmed cell death or by preventing repair of DNA damage.
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2

Everyone's different:
Survival rates are most appropriately applied to large groups of patients; it's impossible to give such a number for one person, especially without knowing her own unique situation. As a generalization, we usually talk about "remission" rather than "cure" when breast cancer has spread to other organs (stage 4) yet people can live for years, especially if it is sensitive to medication.
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3

It depends:
There are many types of metastatic breast cancer. Life expectancy depends on the type and the location. Er+ breast cancer that has spread only to bones has a life expectancy of years, even 5-10 years. Er- breast cancer has a much shorter life expectancy. In general, breast cancer in organs (lung, liver, brain) causes death sooner than breast cancer in bones only. Ask your oncologist.
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4

Variable:
There are many other factors that impact life expectancy in a person with breast cancer besides lymph node invovlement. Things like the size of the tumor, estrogen and Progesterone status and her2-neu status are necessary to help determine prognosis.
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5

Poor:
Because early detection and treatment of breast cancer, leads to longer survival, unusual patterns of spread have been reported. One is linitis plastica of the stomach. A potential long-term sequela of metastatic breast cancer. The rare case of breast adenoCa to stomach presents as a nodular lesion; lobular Ca induces linitis plastica and is the most common lesion with poor surlvival.
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7

Guarded:
There is a tendency for many tumors to implant on the pericardial sac at which time pericardial effusion present. Response with lessening of fluid can be controlled first by effusion tap followed by hormone or chemo treatment depending on biopsy exam of the primary lesion to define optimum approach toward management. RT may also help.
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8

Breast Cancer:
This is a question that needs to be asked of your oncologist and your personal physicians. I'm not sure why you or the person with this cancer does not want treatment, I hope this is reconsidered. My grandmother had this horrible disease, she lived another 25 years with treatment, how much life she would have missed including knowing all my kids, I still miss her.
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9

It depends:
It depends on the stage of your mom's cancer when she was diagnosed, and what treatments she had. Her life expectancy should not be affected if her cancer doesn't come back. The higher her stage at diagnosis, the more likely her cancer could return. Some treatments affect cholesterol levels and heart function, both of which can be treated.
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10

Everyone's different:
Survival rates are most appropriately applied to large groups of patients; it's impossible to give such a number for one person, especially without knowing her own unique situation. As a generalization, we usually talk about "remission" rather than "cure" when cancer has spread to the bone (stage 4) yet people can live for years, especially if it is sensitive to medication.
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11

Breast cancer:
You report that you are in great condition on your medication.I know it will be difficult but try as hard as you can to continue to feel great on your meds and continue to see your doctor regularly.

There is no timetable for you - just continue to enjoy life - it may well be another 30 or more years.
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12

3 yrs:
In one of the trials, the median survival was 31 months. This means that half of the people who took this combination lived more than this. So it is easy to live 3-4 yrs in the above mentioned condition.
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13

Mets of Breast cance:
It depends on treatment so far...This is not a good prognosis. It is all about managing quality of life and options. No one knows of course, life expectancy but in my opinion quality of life is MOST important
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15

Advanced:
Breast cancer survival is correlated with it's stage, which is predominantly based on the cancer size, it's growth, and lymph node involvement. Stage 3 means that the cancer has grown into the chest wall or skin and/or multiple lymph nodes (including areas outside the armpit) are involved. These are all signs that chemotherapy is needed for potential cure.
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16

40-70% 5-yr survival:
The most recent statistics from the national cancer database quote the above numbers for stage 3 breast cancer, which varies quite a bit between 3a v. 3b or 3c. Keep in mind that this is based on people diagnosed as long as a decade ago, so it may not reflect the most up-to-date treatments.
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17

More than 50%:
This is a hard question. Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer. It depends on whether it's stage3a, b or c, and the time of survival. At 5 years after diagnosis, 50-60% of women with stage 3 breast cancer are alive. Other factors are age, receptor status of the tumor, number of lymph nodes involved, and treatment. Remember that survival is improving all the time!
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18

Yes:
Stage 3 breast cancer is curable, but in addition to an operation most women will need chemotherapy and radiation therapy for the best chance of cure. Surgery removes the cancer from your breast/lymph nodes, but chemotherapy & radiation kills cancer cells that have escaped into your body. These escaped cells can return as incurable stage 4 cancer, so treating them is very important.
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19

Yes, curable:
Although it can be a difficult treatment with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and possibly radiation, most of these treatments are aimed at getting rid of the cancer and preventing it from coming back. Unless she has many other or more serious health concerns that make it unlikely for her to live another year or two, then some form of treatment is a good idea.
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Occurs when glandular cells lining the milk ducts and lobules of the human breast begin to grow in an unregulated manner. Often curable if found early and treated effectively with surgery, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy, or a combination thereof. Early detection before the malignancy becomes large enough to be felt depends on mammography/sonography and MRI imaging of the breast on an annual basis.
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Most breast cancers are carcinomas. This is a type of breast cancer. These cancers start in the cells that line organs and tissues. In fact, breast cancers are often a type of carcinoma called adenocarcinoma, which starts in cells that make glands (glandular tissue). Breast adenocarcinomas start in the ducts (the milk ducts) or the lobules (milk-producing glands).
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